Rabbi Lau at Migron Brit Mila

Former Chief Rabbi Lau officiated at the brit mila of his grand-nephew at Migron, a week before the Knesset discusses legalizing the town.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

First Publish: 4/11/2012, 2:52 PM

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau

Israel news photo: Flash 90

Former Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau officiated at the circumcision of his grand-nephew at Migron Wednesday, a week before the Knesset is to discuss legalizing the community.

Rabbi Lau now is the chief rabbi of Tel Aviv-Yafo, (Jaffa), a position he formerly held before serving as Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel for 10 years. He frequently has been mentioned as a possible candidate for President of the country.

He recited the blessings at the brit mila of the grandson of his nephew Moshe Hagar, whose daughter and husband live on Migron. The new-born baby’s name is Erez Yehoshua Hamo, Yehoshua being the name of Rabbi Lau’s late brother.

The Supreme Court has ordered that the community be destroyed by August because there are Palestinian Authority Arabs who claim to own some of the land used by the town. The court rejected a deal that would have postponed the eviction of Migron until suitable replacement housing can be found for its residents.

Likud Knesset Member Danny Danon said that he has gathered the necessary 25 signatures for the special Knesset session next Wednesday to discuss a proposed bill that would legalize Migron and other Jewish communities endangered by expulsions.

Knesset Members from the Likud, Kadima, National Union, Shas and the United Torah Judaism parties signed the petition for a special session.

“The nationalist camp will not sanction expulsions of people from their communities in Judea and Samaria,” MK Danon declared. He added, ”The High Court is trying to prevent the government from fulfilling its duty to prevent expulsions instead of accepting court orders” to expel Jews from Migron and other communities.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak has waged a campaign against a Jewish presence in dozens of communities, and last week ordered the expulsions of 15 families from a newly-purchased building in Hevron.

“Barak thinks he can expel Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria whenever he wants.” said MK Danon.